10 Budget-Friendly Family Vacations

If you’re trying to plan your next family holiday but aren’t sure where to begin, it’s not always easy if you don’t have a budget that allows you to fly to a luxury resort in the Maldives. Fortunately, there are still lots of budget-friendly options available around the world. You may even spend your vacation relaxing on untouched white sands in a tropical paradise. Alternatively, plan a traditional family vacation that will allow everyone to reconnect while participating in outdoor activities. Consider one of these wonderful destinations if you’re looking for inspiration.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

myrtle beach south carolina

Myrtle Beach is a unique holiday spot that appeals to people of all ages since it is affordable and has something for everyone. While most people come for the vast stretch of sandy beaches and the opportunity to soak up the sun and play in and on the sea, there are many more things to do for a low price. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel at Family Kingdom Amusement Park for a breathtaking view of the coastline, or visit Myrtle Waves Water Park for thrilling thrills. There are more than 100 golf courses to choose from, as well as numerous putt-putt courses where the whole family may participate.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

cabo san lucas mexico

While Cabo San Lucas has numerous upscale buildings, it also has a variety of more affordable lodging options, including hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. It’s much more economical now, thanks to favorable exchange rates. Due to the warmer weather, which keeps many tourists away, you’ll sometimes discover drastically lower accommodation prices if you go in the summer. It’s simple to locate a cool location to relax, whether it’s in a beautiful pool or splashing in the sea. There are also inexpensive glass-bottom boat cruises that will take you out to Lovers Beach to dive in the “world’s aquarium,” as ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau described it.

Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic

juan dolio dominican republic

The Dominican Republic is the perfect combination of affordability and pleasure in the sun on the beach and in pure blue waters. On the southern coast, in Juan Dolio, you’ll find more affordable lodging, ranging from modest beachside hotels with pools and tiki bars to all-inclusive resorts. Beautiful beaches, as well as amusement parks and fishing trips, can be found in this fishing village turned coastal resort town. Beyond the sand, there are plenty of interesting activities, such as the Damajagua Waterfalls. If you want to indulge a little, Crazy Horse Ranch provides an authentic guided horseback ride to San Pedro de Macoris, where you’ll get a peek of traditional village life, sample some local cuisine, and possibly purchase some handcrafted things.

Denver, Colorado

panorama of denver skyline at twilight.

In Denver, there are numerous free and low-cost activities available, including numerous excellent city parks, walking tours, festivals, and museums. With over 4,000 animals and a variety of attractions for a relatively inexpensive cost of admission, the Denver Zoo is always a treat. Children may play on a three-and-a-half-story climber, step inside a 6-foot bubble, sculpt a clay masterpiece, power a hot balloon, and much more at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Lakeside Amusement Park offers inexpensive rides, and the Rocky Mountains are only a short drive away, making it easy to take advantage of the numerous hiking paths that offer breathtaking views.

Ocean City, Maryland

ocean city maryland

Ocean City, Maryland, is a popular seaside town with plenty of affordable family-friendly activity. Spend time at the beach soaking up the rays, keeping an eye out for dolphins, and wandering around the parks. On most nights during the summer, there are free activities for the whole family, including movies and beach concerts. The world-class boardwalk, which is lined with various types of cafes, stores, and arcades, is frequently voted among the best in the country, and the famous wild ponies of Assateague are just a few miles down the road.

Atlanta, Georgia

atlanta georgia

Atlanta provides big-city attractions at a fraction of the cost of other cities its size. Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park for a free tour of his birth home, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to learn about local history, and adjacent state parks to see waterfalls. Spend a little money on a trip to the Georgia Aquarium to see the marine life or a ride on the SkyView Ferris wheel for views of Centennial Olympic Park and beyond.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana/Wyoming/Idaho

yellowstone national park

There is much to awe visitors of all ages here, from Yellowstone’s incredible array of fauna such as buffalo, bears, elk, and moose to the geysers and geothermal wonders such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs. There’s something for everyone, from campers in and around the park to budget-friendly mom-and-pop motels, economical vacation rentals, and deluxe lodges, making this a doable trip for just about any family.

Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico

isla verde carolina puerto rico

It might be costly to obtain passports for your entire family if you don’t already have them, but the good news is that you can travel to Puerto Rico and enjoy the Caribbean without the cost and difficulty. There are other companies that offer low-cost nonstop flights to San Juan, the capital city, making it easier and more economical to visit those lovely crystal blue waters and immaculate white sands. The popular resort strip of Isla Verde Beach has a wide choice of hotels, bars, and restaurants, as well as plenty of chances for watersports like snorkeling. The majority of the lodging options here are right on the beach and are reasonably priced.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

wisconsin dells wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells, named “The Waterpark Capital of the World,” is one of the Midwest’s most popular vacation spots. With its various indoor water parks and economical amusements, it used to be restricted to summertime entertainment. Now, it offers a delightful retreat all year. The Noah’s Art Waterpark, one of the city’s many amusement parks, features an astounding selection of aquatic coasters, including 51 slides, a surfing simulator, and two wave pools, as well as heart-pounding thrills like the Scorpion’s Tail. The Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park is an ancient Greece-themed resort complex comprising amusement park attractions and an indoor/outdoor water park. You’ll also find a variety of lodging alternatives, including budget-friendly family-friendly hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

halifax nova scotia canada

Most of Canada’s major cities are prohibitively expensive to visit, but Halifax is not only stunningly beautiful but also inexpensive. Enjoy wonderful markets, festivals, excellent seafood, and stunning beaches, as well as the region’s well-known friendliness. While there are more expensive cruise choices, you can save money by taking the Halifax-Dartmouth Transit boat, North America’s oldest continuous saltwater passage ferry, and snapping a postcard-perfect photo of the city skyline from the water. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax Gardens, and the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk are all worth seeing. Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, the province’s most photographed lighthouse, is only a short drive away.

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